The project, based on John Niven's cult music industry satirical novel of the same name, is one of four high-profile projects from British banner Altitude Film Entertainment.

LONDON – Rafe Spall (Prometheus, LifeofPi) has signed to star in the Owen Harris directed adaptation of John Niven's cult music industry darkly comic satirical novel Kill Your Friends, from the author's own script.

Billed as ano holds barred satirical take on the music industry at the height of the Britpop glory days of Oasis and Blur, the movie details the story of an A&R man about town who ends up going to killer lengths to find the next killer hit.

Harris, who directed TV comedy drama Holy Flying Circus about the outraged response to Monty Python's The Life of Brian for BBC Films, will direct the project while Gregor Cameron, whose TV comedy resume boasts Goin' Down to South Park and Katy Brand's Big Ass Show, produces alongside Altitude Film Entertainment.

Altitude is a production-led movie banner founded by Will Clarke, the founder of British producer and distribution banner Optimum Releasing who subsequently orchestrated his company's multi-million dollar sale to Studio Canal.

The company, which also boasts former Exclusive Media managing director and chief financial officer Andy Mayson and veteran sales maestro Mike Runagall, is also teaming with emerging talent on three projects ahead of this year's American Film Market.

Also on the company's slate for AFM is Outpost 37, billed as a visceral, high concept, sci-fi, action-thriller that marks the directorial debut of L.A.-based director and Visual FX maestro Jabbar Raisani.